Wounded Veteran Gets New House, Donations From Community 5K Run
By: Katiera Winfrey
Updated: November 11, 2012
It's a three mile run, and one by one the runner race to the end. A pair of feet pass the finish line as the runners come in. Just up the road, there is Sgt. Cox. Unlike the rest, he's running a 5K on an artificial leg.
"We were on our way out of the area and I was in back of 20 guys I was the 20th guy and I stepped right where everybody else did and I just happen to step on an IED," said Cox reminiscing on the day he was injured.
Being sent on a third tour, his wife was justifiably concerned.
"Whenever he left, we talked about him not coming home. You know dying."
Thankfully he didn't die, but he did lose his leg.
"It's just a pop and I'm laying on the ground and I asked my medic, hey are you okay and doc are you okay and he said yeah I'm good, and I said is anybody else hurt is everybody else okay and he's like yeah everybody is good and I'm like doc, doc I think I'm hurt, and he says yeah you're hurt," said Cox
Sgt. Cox thought of himself last. Now thanks to volunteers, Operation Finally Home and Permian Homes, everyone else is thinking of him first.
Emil Busby with Permian Homes participated in the community run. He said, "It's a good cause to give back to someone that gave to us."
They're giving back in a big way, with a brand new four bedroom home. It is all free to the Cox family.
"I've had every one of my sub-contractors that worked on this volunteer their time material everything. So yes, they're very willing to do this," said Busby.
For the 5K run Saturday, the Cox family also took park. Participants paid a $25 entrance fee. The money collected will further go toward the home. The Cox family has moved three times in the pass year as Sgt. Cox recuperated. When the house is finished in December, the family will be Finally Home.
Despite having lost his leg just a year ago, and completing a three mile run without walking, Sgt. Cox is still disappointed. By now he said he wanted to be marathon ready. However with additional problems with his other leg, it's been more of a challenge. He said he's going to get marathon ready soon.
